Jesse Winker suffered a setback in his rehab that will effectively end his season,, while Tyrone Taylor was recently placed on the injured list with a hamstring issue. Jose Siri also remains sidelined, still working his way back from a fractured tibia. With multiple outfielders down, the Mets may be forced to dip into the free-agent market. Two names who could make sense are Eddie Rosario and Alex Verdugo, both of whom spent time with the division-rival Atlanta Braves earlier this year. Eddie RosarioA 10-year veteran, Rosario has only appeared in five games across two teams this season. However, his postseason pedigree is well documented. During Atlanta’s 2021 World Series run, Rosario earned NLCS MVP honors, hitting .560 with three home runs in that series alone. Across 30 career postseason appearances, Rosario owns a .289 batting average with five homers and 14 RBIs — exactly the kind of experience the Mets could use if they make a playoff push. Alex VerdugoVerdugo, meanwhile, played 56 games for the Braves this season before being released following the reinstatement of Jurickson Profar. While he struggled in Atlanta, batting .239 with 31 strikeouts, he still showed flashes of his contact ability, collecting 46 hits. Like Rosario, Verdugo has October experience, appearing in 25 postseason games with the Red Sox and Yankees, where he posted a .256 average with two homers and 14 RBIs. Neither Rosario nor Verdugo represents a long-term solution, but both could provide the Mets with much-needed outfield depth and valuable postseason know-how.

The Houston Astros have endured a season of highs and lows, yet remain atop the American League West as the calendar turns to September. Houston holds a three-game lead over the Seattle Mariners and a 4.5-game advantage on the Texas Rangers following Labor Day. With Texas charging and plenty of baseball left, securing another division crown will be no easy task. The Astros’ cushion was built on a strong early stretch, particularly in June, but the club stumbled through the summer. They finished just under .500 in both July and August, continuing a season marked by streaky play. Even so, Houston remains among baseball’s elite and a contender for another deep October run. In MLB.com’s final regular-season power rankings, writer Will Leitch placed the Astros at No. 10, down one spot from the previous week as the New York Yankees jumped ahead.

The Toronto Blue Jays have not been shy about making bold moves to secure their core. Most notably handing Vladimir Guerrero Jr. a record-shattering 14-year, $500 million contract earlier this year. That deal quickly shifted the spotlight to Bo Bichette, the All-Star shortstop now approaching free agency. Bichette has long been viewed as a candidate for an extension, but talks with Toronto have never materialized into a deal. With his contract set to expire at season’s end, he is expected to be one of the most sought-after names on the market. Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly recently predicted that the Blue Jays will do everything they can to keep Bichette in Toronto. “The Blue Jays retained Bichette last offseason when many thought they should blow up their core. He’s rewarded them by rebounding from a disappointing 2024 season and leading the league in hits for a team that looks like a World Series contender,” Kelly wrote. “The Blue Jays have struggled to attract free agents in recent years but remain aggressive spenders, and they will do what it takes to re-sign Bichette.” Still, rival executives expect plenty of competition. Bichette’s age, production, and position make him an ideal target for multiple big-market clubs, setting the stage for a bidding war if Toronto cannot secure his signature before free agency opens.

Veteran safety Jabrill Peppers has a message for NFL teams, including the Cincinnati Bengals, as the regular season approaches. “Going on nine years in this league,” Peppers wrote on X. “I’ve had seven head coaches and six defensive coordinators lol. There is no scheme you can place me in where I won’t find a way to be effective.” The 28-year-old, a former first-round pick, was released by the New England Patriots last week. He spent the past three seasons in New England. With Cincinnati introducing new defensive coordinator Al Golden and fielding a safety group of Geno Stone, Jordan Battle and Tycen Anderson, adding an experienced playmaker like Peppers could be an option. For now, the veteran is making it clear he believes he can contribute in any scheme. Former Patriots safety Jabrill Peppers has a message for the Bengals and any other NFL team that may want to sign him with the start of the regular season looming.  “Going on nine years in this league,” Peppers wrote on X. “I’ve had seven head coaches and six defensive coordinators lol. There is no scheme you can place me in where I won’t find a way to be effective.” The Bengals are one of many teams that could be interested in a proven veteran like Peppers, who was surprisingly released last week.  Peppers is a former first round pick. He’s played for the Browns, Giants and Patriots. Peppers is a proven talent that won’t cost significant money and would give the Bengals’ secondary a major boost. However, it’s unclear if the Bengals have interest in Peppers, but adding a veteran to a safety room that includes Geno Stone, Jordan Battle and Tycen Anderson would make a lot of sense.